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Opinions are subjective, but Sales Numbers aren't. If this is going to be Shana's Swan Song, it has got to go out with a blaze of glory.

Feel better? Really, I could not care less about its popularity lol
And I'm not worry about sales neither, this is the last season so if it sells a lot or not it won't influence the anime. And it'll be a 'blaze a glory', I trust that so far

PD: To avoid conflicts, I'm not trying to sound like an asshole or anything like that.

Opinions are subjective, but Sales Numbers aren't. If this is going to be Shana's Swan Song, it has got to go out with a blaze of glory.

Since this is Shana's Swan Song, why does it matter how well it sells?

I mean, I'd be more concerned with poor sales if this was Season 1 or Season 2 (because that could mean that we won't see the story animated to its conclusion).

But this is it. This is the end of the narrative at last. I hope it does well in sales since I am a big Shana fan, but as a fan, it's not like I personally will lose out if it doesn't go out in a blaze of glory (sales-wise).

So if this anime ends up being great (imo) but doesn't sell well, the main thing for me will be that it was great.

I love Shana and all, but she definitely have her work cut out for her. With shows like Fate/Zero, Persona 4, Haganai, Working, Horizon and the highly anticipated Guilty Crown, competition for Fall has never been fiercer. She would have to give it 110% if she wants to go up against this pool of sharks.

The franchise itself has been fizzling out (seemingly upstaged by Toaru Majutsu no Index?), which is probably the biggest strike against this season. It's the last call for Shana, and I think it'd be a neat trick if the series managed to regain its former popularity.

At any rate, Shana has had her day, and I'm just glad that we'll be seeing a complete product.

Well despite what people think, Shana was never JC Staff's biggest seller anyway- not by a long shot

Well, I was actually referring to the novels. The popularity of the series isn't what it used to be, which might affect the hype amongst anime viewers and collectors.

And no, it wasn't because of Shana II. IIRC, popularity grew after S2 but attention eventually shifted to newer titles. Index is somewhat notable in that it was published, promoted, and adapted by the same companies (ASCII Media Works, Geneon, J.C.STAFF) - in terms of timing, its rise in popularity coincided with Shana's decline, although I can't say if there's any causative relationship.

Anyway, I think Shana is more noted for the merchandising blitz and rise in source popularity. A 10k seller on DVD coupled with merchandising/music/source material success is more valuable to the financiers than a stronger DVD hit that somehow fails to ignite the latter (it's also how ZnT was successful.....people tend to write the series off because of unexceptional DVD numbers, but it was a huge hit through all seasons once you consider the overall commercial result).

Are you saying that Shana's decline is mainly due to fans' attention eventually shifted to newer titles?

Well, I personally think that is likely the case one way or another. Keep in mind that there are constantly people shifting in and out of fandom -- new people who come into the market, and older fans who get other priorities and bow out. For people who are just coming into the market now, what's going to make them catch up on a 9-year-old novel series, or watch anime from 6 years ago? It's not exactly easy to start in the middle given the way the plot is at the moment. Plus, the market has evolved since then, and there are plenty of other properties that have evolved the Shana idea and are getting a lot more hype nowadays. So I don't think that Shana is "replenishing" its fanbase as people "retire" from the fandom. This last anime season will help a bit to bring some people who may want to come back just to see how things end, but it probably won't return to its former glory even if it's great. The market is constantly focused on "the next new thing" or "the latest craze".

First of all, let me say I totally agree with Triple_R and with relentlessflame.

Triple_R: I watch SnS not because it is a famous anime, but because I love the story. I think that should be it! Naruto, per example is a series watched by millions of fans... yet I hate it!

relentlessflame: It's hard to realize that, but it is the truth. I watched various series in a row, from episode 1 to the last, and that gives continuity to the story: we don't loose details, we don't forget the passion and anticipation one episode makes us feel... On the other hand, for the more SnS fascinates me, even now, I've been waiting one and a half years to watch season III. The other 2 seasons, as well as S, I saw them in one week!
I've watched episode 1 yesterday, and episode nr2 will be next week. By the time I see it, I am sure I have to re-watch episode 1, and so on... and that I am sure damages the overall opinion of the entire season.

Btw I have a little question, though I don't know if this is supposed to be spoiler or not.

So, Reiji Maigo really is still inside Yuji, right? I can't quite recall what happened at the end of s2.

Still, an anti-fire ring, a giant sword that damages its foes by slightest touch and huge pool of mana/power of existence thanks to his link to Hecate. Add Reiji Maigo and he's practically invincible. Though last time I recalled, Shana could still beat him because he's still not as battle-hardened as her.